driftfleet | When We're Rollin Through the Wild Wild West

When We're Rollin Through the Wild Wild West

Who: Everyone! EVERYONE!
Broadcast: IF YOU WANNA
Action: Everywhere! EVERYWHERE!
When: Mid-September - Mid-October

[How's your ship doing, pardners? Is it still pretty damaged? Is it glitching out hardcore? Well, there is one place to land to take care of all that, and that's on a dusty old moon in front of a planet that no one wants to go to. On this moon, you'll find a civilization that looks a lot like one's stepped into a wild west movie, hardened cowpolk and mutant horses and all. Will you become a vigilante, hunting bounties and stopping gangs from doing their dirty work? Will you go exploring planetside, with a cowboy hat and a stalk of wheat in your mouth to complete the look? Good luck with that; there is no wheat. This town ain't big enough for all you flooters, but make it so! For the ratings!

In other words, it's a planet mingle! Get 'er done!]

[September Planet info here]

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[It's not hard for Nightingale to realize what's going on- The medkit makes it obvious enough. But maybe a medkit can't get everything...]

Hey. Need a hand?

[Nightingale may not win the award for the person Beverly is currently most angry at (that dubious honor goes to Finrod) but she still isn't exactly Beverly's favorite person here. When Beverly turns to face her, she keeps her face carefully neutral.]

No, I've got everything under control. Thank you.

[Hm. Well, this was a bit more awkward than she was expecting. Still, she wants to help, and maybe try to fix things after last time, so...]

You sure? You've got limited supplies, and I've got healing magic.

I've got enough.

[There's a long pause, and then she relents, if only a little and only because it's not right to keep these people from seeing someone who could help them.]

I'm just covering this small section of town. Only one doctor actually lives here, has an office near the saloon. If you want to help, I'm sure he could point you to some other people no one is seeing yet.

... Right. I'll... go ask him, then.

[That pause is enough to make Nightingale worry. She can tell Crusher's mad, and, well. The angry mother look sets her on edge.]

Um... Sorry. Are you still mad about before?

I'm not mad. I just believe it is best that we not work together.

That sounds pretty-

Um. Sorry. I'll... leave, then?

[She crosses her arms.]

Sounds pretty what? You can say it.

[It's not a challenge. But if Nightingale has something she still wants to say, Beverly will listen]

I'm pretty sure if I keep talking I'll only shove my foot even further down my throat.

[Beverly rubs the bridge of her nose and lets out a long breath before speaking.]

Listen, when we last spoke... My augment was glitching and I did not handle the situation appropriately. How I normally would. I should have explained to you then why I was upset and I apologize for that. But I am not lying when I say I am not angry... Maybe I was at the time, but to be frank... The things you said, about death, they frighten me more than anything.

Edited 2015-09-21 18:36 (UTC)

I- Wait, what?

[She actually perks up slightly, her obvious anxiety replaced by confusion.]

Why would... that frighten you? Wait, was it about the threatening the Atroma, or the resurrecting part?

How else am I to react to someone who talks of killing as if it means nothing, because death is easily reversed? That is a dangerous, dangerous line of thinking that could lead to a lot of destruction, whether you intend it to or not. I understand that things work differently in your world, and that you're bearing a terrible burden, but you must understand that is death is truly the end for us where I come from. No second chances. I am not going to see the people I have lost again and the lives I have had to take are not coming back either.

[Oh, suddenly she understands. She sounds to Beverly like the Echoes sound to her. She's racking her brain now- She wants to fix things more than ever. How did Crane say people from Earth apologized? ... Other than by cutting her stomach open. Beverly probably would not appreciate that in this context. Maybe. How the fuck does Earth even work?

She bows low, eyes on the ground, in apology.]

... I'm sorry. I was- I don't think killing someone is 'nothing'. I was just venting steam- talking big, to try to feel better about how powerless we all are here. I hate the Atroma, but I'm not just... I don't hurt people when I can avoid it, unless we've agreed on a fight. Ever. My team and I, we've died ourselves rather than hurt others. I'm not as good as the rest of them, but I still try to keep to my team's ideals. Please, believe that.

[No, Beverly would definitely not appreciate any seppuku. Anytime. Ever. The bowing is uncomfortable enough for her, even if she's familiar enough with Japanese tradition to understand the symbolism and sentiment behind it. Of course, she's completely unaware that Nightingale is bowing to try to appease her Earth sensibilities and so she doesn't say anything about it, not wanting to insult the Nightingale's culture. However, face does still flush a little with consternation when she holds out a hand to the other woman.]

I'm relieved to hear that.

[When your only exposure to Earth are through the perspective of Riley Matthews and a yakuza girl, you tend to get some weird perceptions.

It takes her a moment to notice the hand, but she eventually lifts her head to take the hand, and... sort of holds it awkwardly. What is she meant to do with this?]

I'm sorry for scaring you.

[Beverly sandwiches Nightingale's hand between both of hers. It's her way of acknowledging forgiveness. She even manages a small smile for Nightingale, though her apprehensions about her have not entirely dissipated. Not yet.]

You didn't mean to, I can see that. It's good we could talk, clear the air a little.

Yeah. I'm- I'm glad.

[It's worth mentioning that while Beverly holds her hand like that, Nightingale goes very tense and stuff, nerves shooting way back up.]

Are we okay now?

[As soon as she sees Nightingale stiffen, Beverly gently releases her hands. She's not trying to make this harder.]

Yes, I think we'll be okay.

[Sorry, Beverly, that sort of hand-holding generally either means someone is about to say something to embarrass her, or they're about to get maimed again.

She relaxes slightly when her hand is released, then much more noticeably at her words.]

Oh, thank fuck.

[Beverly represses another sigh. This girl.]

You know, you might want to work on how you phrase things, if you don't want to have another misunderstanding like this.

... Huh? What's wrong with how I phrase things?

[She seems genuinely confused... Sorry, Beverly.]

Well... while I appreciate the sentiment behind your words, I don't think "thank fuck" is really appropriate for this situation or to our relationship. I know you weren't ill-intentioned, so I'm not mad but language like that could easily upset someone. Not everyone is used to it, and might see it as disrespectful.

But that's how Sparrow talks... Um, sorry. I'll try to keep that in check.

[She actually has to take a moment and try to remember how she used to talk.]

I know it's difficult: believe me, you're bound to upset someone at some point, especially with all these different worldviews coming together. There's no way you can anticipate everyone's reaction to something. However, until you get to know someone a little better, cursing is something fairly simple to avoid.

Right...

[That's easy enough to understand. She bows again, though shallower.]

Sorry for all the trouble, and thanks for the advice.

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dancingmd - 2015-09-29 17:16 (UTC) - Expand

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experiencepoints - 2015-09-29 21:29 (UTC) - Expand

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